BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to an ostomy appliance, an ostomy sealing member and
to methods for placing an ostomy appliance on the abdomen of an ostomate.
[0002] In connection with surgery for a number of diseases in the gastro-intestinal tract
a consequence is, in many cases, that the colon, the ileum or the urethra has been
exposed surgically and the patient is left with an abdominal stoma and the effluents
or waste products of the body, which are conveyed through these organs, are discharged
through the artificial orifice or opening and are collected in a collection bag, which
is usually adhered to the skin by means of an adhesive wafer or plate having an inlet
opening for accommodating the stoma. Also in connection with a fistula, the patient
will have to rely on an appliance to collect the bodily material emerging from such
opening.
[0003] Ostomy appliances are well known. Such appliances may be two-piece or one-piece appliances.
In both types of appliances, a body side member is attached to the wearer's abdomen,
and, in case of a two-piece appliance, a receiving member or bag is releasably attached
to the body side ostomy member for receiving exudates from the stoma.
[0004] When using one-piece appliances, the whole appliance, including the adhesive wafer
or pad securing the appliance to the skin is removed and replaced by a fresh appliance.
When using two-piece appliances, the body side ostomy member is left in place for
several days, and only the receiving member or bag is replaced.
[0005] The production of ostomy products with a flat proximal adhesive side includes producing
a plane disc of adhesive suitable for use on the human skin which is typically provided
with a carrier sheet on one side (the distal) and a release liner on the other. The
carrier sheet on the distal side of the adhesive is attached, e.g. by gluing or welding,
to a collection bag or to a coupling part, to which a collection bag may be detachably
coupled. The release liner on the proximal side of the adhesive is a protective sheet,
which is removed prior to use, and the ostomy appliance is then adhered to the user's
skin by means of the substantially plane proximal side of the adhesive.
[0006] The service time of the body side ostomy member depends on the amount and aggressiveness
of the exudates and of the tightness of the sealing between the stoma and the body
side ostomy member.
[0007] In the known appliances it is necessary to change the body side member of a two-piece
appliance when the centre part of the adhesive wafer or pad has been sufficiently
deteriorated to allow access of the aggressive exudates to the skin surrounding the
stoma, irrespective of the fact that the wafer as such has a much longer wearing time.
The access of aggressive exudates to the skin is causing skin problems.
[0008] At the same time, it is often difficult to obtain a reliable sealing between the
adhesive wafer and the stoma in order to prevent the aggressive exudates from contacting
the skin.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0009] Methods of overcoming the sealing problems have been proposed.
[0010] GB Patent Application No. GB 2 290 974 discloses a body-side ostomy member comprising
a ring to which a bag-side coupling ring or a bag can be attached, said ring comprising
a rib and a flange, said flange being mounted on a wafer of medical grade adhesive
having a central whole of diameter at least 65 % of the internal diameter of the ring.
When applying such body-side ostomy member, a mouldable mass of non-hypoallergenic,
non-memory putty-like adhesive, particularly based on hydrocolloid or hydrogel, is
disposed radially inward of the wafer so that it forms a protective mass surrounding
the stoma. The mouldable mass has a thickness of 1.25 - 3 times that of the wafer
and a central hole therein of a diameter no more than 1/10 th of the internal diameter
of the ring. Both the medical grade adhesive and the mouldable adhesive are adhered
to the skin.
[0011] European Patent application No. EP 0 686 381 discloses an ostomy appliance comprising
a collection pouch and.faceplate assembly including a flexible patch having a stoma-receiving
opening, a first layer of skinfriendly hydrocolloid-containing adhesive material along
one side of said patch about said opening for securing said faceplate assembly to
peristomal skin surfaces, and a second layer of relatively soft , easy-deformable
and extrudable, adhesive sealant material of a composition that is resistant to being
dissolved or disintegrated by stomal fluids and that immediately surrounds said opening;
said second layer being displaceable inwardly and axially into said opening for forming
a stoma-engaging annular gasket to prevent stomal fluids from contacting the peristomal
skin and said first adhesive layer.
[0012] These references, however, do not address the problem that the appliance as a whole
must be replaced and thus, the remaining life-time of the part of the adhesive wafer
securing the appliance to the abdomen of the ostomate is not utilised and the skin
is exposed to an undesirable stress due to many exchanges of the appliance.
[0013] In ostomy patients it is frequently seen that the immediate surroundings of the stoma,
at a distance of 1-2 cm, are recessed or are positioned in a crater or a cavity as
compared to the rest of the skin surface surrounding the stoma. For such patients
it has been found to be expedient to use an ostomy product where the adhesive surface
around the opening for receiving the stoma has a part which is convex and protrudes
toward the user in order to enable the adhesive face of the ostomy appliance to contact
and adhere to essentially the entire surface of the skin in the crater or the cavity.
In particular, it is important that the ostomy appliance adheres well to the skin
in the area next to the stoma in order to give security against deterioration of the
adhesive and against leakage. The use of an adhesive wafer having a rigid convex shape
may also apply an external pressure to the area next to the stoma which, in particularly
in connection with recessed stomas, will ensure a sufficient protrusion of the stoma
to aid the discharge of effluents therefrom directly into the collection bag without
contacting the exposed adhesive next to the stoma and prolong the time of service
of the adhesive wafer or plate. The shape of the protruding part of the adhesive face
may e.g. be domed or conical, and such products are known under the designation convex
products.
[0014] EP 317 326 describes a convex product having a rigid ring carrying on its entire
convex side an intermediate ring of a soft thermoplastic foam material adhered to
the rigid ring.
[0015] European Patent Application and EP 416 397 describes convex products where a layer
of adhesive suitable for use on the human skin is arranged directly on the convex
face of a ring-shaped body.
[0016] US patent No. 5,618,276 discloses an ostomy appliance in which a thermoplastic convex
pressure ring also functions as a belt attachment ring. The pressure ring is directly
and sealingly secured on its convex side to an adhesive faceplate and it is also directly
and sealingly secured on its opposite side to a collection pouch.
[0017] WO 95/24169 discloses an ostomy appliance comprising a ring-shaped body having a
convex proximal side and a distal side as well as an inner periphery and an outer
periphery, a layer of adhesive to attach the ring-shaped body to a user's skin with
the proximal side facing the user's skin, which adhesive is present on a thermoplastic
carrier sheet having at least the same extent as the adhesive, and wherein the carrier
sheet is disposed between the adhesive and the ring-shaped body and is attached to
the proximal side of the ring-shaped body along the inner periphery and the outer
periphery thereof with mutual spaces.
[0018] EP 0 894 482 discloses an ostomy appliance comprising a ring-shaped body having a
convex proximal side and a distal side as well as an inner periphery and an outer
periphery, a layer of adhesive to attach the ring-shaped body to a user's skin with
the proximal side facing the user's skin, said adhesive being present on a thermoplastic
carrier sheet having at least the same extent as the adhesive, disposed between the
adhesive and the ring-shaped body wherein the carrier sheet is attached to the proximal
side of the ring-shaped body along the outer periphery thereof and optionally along
the inner periphery and wherein a further adhesive layer is present in the area between
the inner and outer periphery.
[0019] None of these references address the problem of providing a seal between the adhesive
plate of the appliance and the ostomy for preventing skin problems due to contact
between the bodily material emerging from the stoma and the skin surrounding the same.
[0020] WO 98/17212 discloses an ostomy appliance comprising a body side member comprising
an adhesive wafer or pad for securing the appliance to the user's skin, said wafer
or pad having a hole for receiving a stoma, and an optionally separately exchangeable
receiving member or bag secured to the body side ostomy member for receiving secretions
from the stoma said ostomy appliance further comprising a separate sealing member
disposed in the hole of the wafer or pad surrounding the stoma.
[0021] Furthermore, there is often a problem in that, due to a retracted stoma in which
case is often used a convex product or in case of skin problems or folds or other
irregularities, it may be difficult to place the body side member centrally with respect
to the stoma. The result is that the stoma is often situated shifted with respect
to the centre of the hole in the adhesive wafer for accommodating the stoma. In such
cases it is especially difficult to obtain a reliable sealing between the adhesive
plate of the appliance and the ostomy. No solution to this problem is offered or indicated
in the above references.
[0022] It has been found that all the above problems may be overcome using the solution
provided with the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0023] The invention relates to an ostomy appliance comprising a body side member, an optionally
separately exchangeable receiving member or bag secured to the body side member, said
body side member comprising a ring-shaped body having an adhesive wafer having a hole
for accommodating a stoma and further a separate sealing member which, when in use,
is placed in the hole for sealing against the stoma, wherein the separate sealing
member has a hole for accommodating the stoma and comprises a mouldable mass of a
hypo-allergenic, substantially non-memory putty-like adhesive is in the form of a
disc, wherein the disc has an outer diameter smaller than the diameter of the hole
of the wafer or pad of the ostomy body side member, wherein the disc has a flange
member stretching from its outer rim, and wherein the flange has outer dimensions
greater than the diameter of the hole of the body side member for coupling to the
body side member.
[0024] Furthermore, the invention relates to an ostomy sealing member in the form of a mouldable
mass of a hypo-allergenic, substantially non-memory putty-like adhesive in the form
of a disc, said disc having a hole for accommodating a stoma, and said disc having
a flange member stretching from its outer rim.
[0025] Still further, the invention relates to methods for placing an ostomy appliance on
the abdomen of an ostomate around a stoma or fistula for collecting bodily material
emerging from such opening, in which an ostomy appliance comprising a body side member,
an optionally separately exchangeable receiving member or bag secured to the body
side member, said body side member comprising a ring-shaped body having an adhesive
wafer having a hole for accommodating the stoma and further a separate sealing member
which, in use, is placed in the hole for sealing against the stoma.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0026] The invention is disclosed more in detail with reference to the drawings in which
Fig.1 shows an embodiment of an ostomy appliance according to the invention seen from
the distal side,
Fig.2 shows a partial sectional view of a part of an ostomy appliance according to
the invention having convex conformation,
Fig.3 shows the embodiment of Fig.2 in which the sealing member is elevated from the
body side member and
Fig.4 shows an embodiment of a sealing member according to the invention.
Detailed Description of the Present Invention
[0027] In a first aspect the invention relates to an ostomy appliance comprising a body
side member, an optionally separately exchangeable receiving member or bag secured
to the body side member, said body side member comprising a ring-shaped body having
an adhesive wafer having a hole for accommodating a stoma and further a separate sealing
member which, when in use, is placed in the hole for sealing against the stoma, wherein
the separate sealing member has a hole for accommodating the stoma and comprises a
mouldable mass of a hypo-allergenic, substantially non-memory putty-like adhesive
and is in the form of a disc, wherein the disc has an outer diameter smaller than
the diameter of the hole of the wafer or pad of the ostomy body side member, wherein
the disc has a flange member stretching from its outer rim, and wherein the flange
has outer dimensions greater than the diameter of the hole of the body side member
for coupling to the body side member and the flange member is supplied with a folding
zone.
[0028] The folding zone is preferably in the form of a corrugated zone providing an extra
flexibility of the flange which allows an eccentric displacement of the sealing member
itself as compared to the flange. The corrugation may be any suitable corrugation
having more smooth or more sharp corrugations. If the flange is sufficiently thin,
flexibility may not require further profiling. However, it may be desirable and preferred
to provide the folding zone with corrugations in more than one direction in order
to enable an easy displacement sideways.
[0029] Furthermore, the folding zone renders it convenient to utilise a separate sealing
member in combination with body side members having a ringshaped body having a convex
proximal surface which is considered a preferred embodiment of the invention.
[0030] The ostomy appliance according to the invention offers a very high degree of freedom
when placing the adhesive wafer for securing the appliance on the skin of the ostomate
and allows a wider range of choice in finding at the most suitable site for placing
the wafer considering the topography and skin conditions whereafter a separate sealing
member may easily be placed on the body side member and the hole for accommodating
the stoma is simply aligned with the stoma and the sealing member may be moulded snugly
around the stoma.
[0031] It is preferred that the outer diameter of the sealing member is smaller than the
inner diameter of the hole in the adhesive wafer of the appliance for allowing a different
centring of the sealing member and the ostomy appliance. The difference in diameters
is suitably above 1 mm and more preferred above 3 mm providing a sufficiently great
degree of freedom for placing the appliance.
[0032] The flange of the sealing member of the invention preferably provides a sealing contact
to the distal surface of the body-side member. Thus, a perfect filling of the gap
between the sealing member and the rim of the hole of the body side member is not
critical and the sealing member only needs to be moulded snugly around the stoma for
excluding contact of the material emerging form the stoma and the skin surrounding
the stoma or the adhesive wafer.
[0033] In an ostomy appliance according to the invention comprising a separate body side
member said body side member comprises attachment means for attaching an ostomy collection
bag to the body side member. Such attachment means may be a system known per se comprising
matching coupling rings or matching flanges and adhesive surfaces.
[0034] In a preferred embodiment the attachment means for attaching an ostomy collection
bag is matching flanges and adhesive surfaces.
In a second aspect the invention relates to an ostomy sealing member in the form of
a mouldable mass of a hypo-allergenic, substantially non-memory putty-like adhesive
in the form of a disc, said disc having a hole for accommodating a stoma, said disc
having a flange member stretching from its outer rim, and said flange member being
supplied with a folding zone.
[0035] The sealing member of the invention offers a simple and reliable solution on the
above problems as the sealing around the stoma and the sealing between a separate
sealing member and sealing to the body side member may be established separately and
also enables a relatively unproblematic sealing, even in cases wherein there is a
considerable difference in level between the area around the stoma and the surface
of the body side member to which the sealing member is to be attached.
[0036] The flange member is preferably provided with an adhesive surface for securing the
flange and the sealing member to the body side member. The sealing member of the invention
may be used together with an ostomy body side member known per se. In such case it
is preferred to choose a body side member having a hole as large as possible and to
choose a sealing member having a suitably minor diameter as indicated above. The sealing
member of the invention is especially preferred in connection with use of convex ostomy
appliances in which cases the area around the stoma may be narrow and the difference
in level between the surface of the skin and the distal surface of the body side member
may be considerable.
[0037] In a third aspect the invention relates to a method for placing an ostomy appliance
on the abdomen of an ostomate around a stoma or fistula for collecting bodily material
emerging from such opening, in which an ostomy appliance comprises a body side member,
an optionally separately exchangeable receiving member or bag secured to the body
side member, said body side member comprising a ring-shaped body having having an
adhesive wafer having a hole for accommodating the stoma and further a separate sealing
member which, when in use, is placed in the hole for sealing against the stoma, wherein
the separate sealing member has a hole for accommodating the stoma and comprises a
mouldable mass of a hypo-allergenic, substantially non-memory putty-like adhesive
in the form of a disc, wherein the disc has an outer diameter smaller than the diameter
of the hole of the wafer or pad of the ostomy body side member, wherein the disc has
a flange member stretching from its outer rim, said flange having outer dimensions
greater than the diameter of the hole of the body side member for coupling to the
body side member and wherein the flange member is supplied with a folding zone, said
method comprising placing the body side member in an manner in which the stoma is
essentially centrally located in the hole and in which the adhesive wafer is ensured
optimum grip, whereafter the separate sealing member is shifted in such a manner that
the hole therein is aligned with the stoma and the sealing member is brought into
contact with the skin and moulded so as to obtain a sealing contact with the stoma.
[0038] In a fourth aspect the invention relates to a slightly modified method for placing
an ostomy appliance on the abdomen of an ostomate around a stoma or fistula for collecting
bodily material emerging from such opening, said ostomy appliance comprising a body
side member, an optionally separately exchangeable receiving member or bag secured
to the body side member, said body side member comprising a ring-shaped body having
an adhesive wafer having a hole for accommodating the stoma and further a separate
sealing member which, when in use, is placed in the hole for sealing against the stoma,
wherein the separate sealing member has a hole for accommodating the stoma and comprises
a mouldable mass of a hypo-allergenic, substantially non-memory putty-like adhesive
in the form of a disc, wherein the disc has an outer diameter smaller than the diameter
of the hole of the wafer or pad of the ostomy body side member, wherein the disc has
a flange member stretching from its outer rim, said flange having outer dimensions
greater than the diameter of the hole of the body side member for coupling to the
body side member and said flange member being supplied with a folding zone, said method
comprising placing the separate sealing member in such a manner that the hole therein
is aligned with the stoma and the sealing member is brought into contact with the
skin whereafter the body side member is shifted in such a manner that the hole therein
is surrounding the stoma and the sealing member and the body side member is brought
into contact with the skin, whereafter the sealing member is moulded so as to contact
the stoma.
[0039] This method is possible to carry out when the sealing member may be pressed through
the hole of the ostomy appliance during the application of the appliance due to flexibility
of the flange. Thus, handling of two separate units may be avoided and it is also
possible to obtain an easier application of one-piece appliances having a sealing
member of the invention placed inside the appliance.
[0040] The adhesive wafer of an ostomy appliance may be made from any appropriate skin friendly
material known per se for the purpose and may also comprise a top film known per se.
The skin-friendly adhesive may be any skin-friendly adhesive known per se, e.g. an
adhesive comprising hydrocolloids or other moisture absorbing constituents for prolonging
the time of use. The adhesive may suitably be of the type disclosed in those disclosed
in GB Patent Specifications Nos. 1 280 631, and 1 586 182, in EP Published Applications
Nos. 0 097 846, 0 272 149 and 0 415 183, in WO Publication No. 88/06894, and in US
Patent Specifications Nos. 3,419,006, 3,972,328, 4,538,603, and 4,867,748. Especially
preferred are the adhesives disclosed in US patents Nos. 4,367,732, 5,051,259 and
5,714,225.
[0041] The sealing member may be in the form of a paste or in the form of a mouldable ring
comprising a hypoallergenic, substantially non-memory putty-like adhesive. In one
embodiment of the invention, the sealing member is in the form of a mouldable ring
having a slot for facilitating adaptation to stomas having a small diameter and a
flange member of any suitable material which is compatible with the adhesives and
may be provided with folding or corrugated zones.
[0042] The attachment means for attaching an ostomy collection bag may be a system known
per se comprising matching coupling rings or matching flanges and adhesive surfaces.
[0043] A release liner may for instance be siliconized paper. It does not need to have the
same contour as the dressing, e.g. a number of dressings may be attached to a larger
sheet of protective cover. The protective cover is not present during the use of the
dressing of the invention and is therefore not an essential part of the invention.
[0044] An adhesive for attaching the flange of the sealing member to the body side member
may be any convenient adhesive being compatible with the materials and surfaces with
which the adhesive is in contact.
Description of the Preferred Embodiments
[0045] Reference is made to Fig. 1 showing an embodiment of an ostomy appliance according
to the invention seen from the distal side, said embodiment comprising, in direction
from the proximal side, a not shown protective sheet or release liner covering the
adhesive surface to engage with the skin around a stoma, a carrier sheet 1 having
protrusions along the periphery thereof and a foam flange 2 for attachment of a receiving
bag and a separate sealing member having a flange 3 for attachment to the body side
member, said flange having corrugations 4 and an adhesive sealing body 5 The corrugation
is only shown as a simple circular corrugation. Centrally is shown the stoma 6 and
furthermore is also showed laterally projecting and diametrically disposed belt-attachment
ears 7 projecting outwardly from opposite edges of the ring-shaped body.
[0046] Figs. 2 and 3 shows the in a larger scale a partial sectional view of a part of an
ostomy appliance according to the invention having convex conformation. This embodiment
has a foam flange 2, a flange 3 for attachment of the separate sealing member to the
body side member, said sealing member having a flange having corrugations 4 and an
adhesive sealing body 5. Furthermore is shown a convex body 8 and an adhesive layer
9 for adhering the body side member to the ostomate's skin.
[0047] Fig.4 shows an embodiment of a sealing member according to the invention having a
flange 3 for attachment of the separate sealing member to the body side member, said
flange having corrugations 4 and an adhesive sealing body. 5 and said embodiment showing
the hole 10 for accommodating the stoma.
Embodiments
[0048]
A. An ostomy appliance comprising a body side member, an optionally separately exchangeable
receiving member or bag secured to the body side member, said body side member comprising
a ring-shaped body having an adhesive wafer having a hole for accommodating a stoma
and further a separate sealing member which, when in use, is placed in the hole for
sealing against the stoma, wherein the separate sealing member has a hole for accommodating
the stoma and comprises a mouldable mass of a hypo-allergenic, substantially non-memory
putty-like adhesive in the form of a disc, wherein the disc has an outer diameter
smaller than the diameter of the hole of the wafer or pad of the ostomy body side
member, wherein the disc has a flange member stretching from its outer rim, and wherein
the flange has outer dimensions greater than the diameter of the hole of the body
side member for coupling to the body side member and the flange member is supplied
with a folding zone.
B. An ostomy sealing member in the form of a mouldable mass of a hypo-allergenic,
substantially non-memory putty-like adhesive in the form of a disc, said disc having
a hole for accommodating a stoma, said disc having a flange member stretching from
its outer rim, and said flange member being supplied with a folding zone.
C. A method for placing an ostomy appliance on the abdomen of an ostomate around a
stoma or fistula for collecting bodily material emerging from such opening, said ostomy
appliance comprising a body side member, an optionally separately exchangeable receiving
member or bag secured to the body side member, said body side member comprising a
ring-shaped body having an adhesive wafer having a hole for accommodating the stoma
and further a separate sealing member which, when in use, is placed in the hole for
sealing against the stoma, wherein the separate sealing member has a hole for accommodating
the stoma and comprises a mouldable mass of a hypo-allergenic, substantially non-memory
putty-like adhesive in the form of a disc, wherein the disc has an outer diameter
smaller than the diameter of the hole of the wafer or pad of the ostomy body side
member, wherein the disc has a flange member stretching from its outer rim, said flange
having outer dimensions greater than the diameter of the hole of the body side member
for coupling to the body side member and the flange member is supplied with a folding
zone, said method comprising placing the body side member in an manner in which the
stoma is essentially centrally located in the hole and in which the adhesive wafer
is ensured optimum grip, whereafter the separate sealing member is shifted in such
a manner that the hole therein is aligned with the stoma and the sealing member is
brought into contact with the skin and moulded so as to obtain a sealing contact with
the stoma.
D. A method for placing an ostomy appliance on the abdomen of an ostomate around a
stoma or fistula for collecting bodily material emerging from such opening, said ostomy
appliance comprising a body side member, an optionally separately exchangeable receiving
member or bag secured to the body side member, said body side member comprising a
ring-shaped body having an adhesive wafer having a hole for accommodating the stoma
and further a separate sealing member which, when in use, is placed in the hole for
sealing against the stoma, wherein the separate sealing member has a hole for accommodating
the stoma and comprises a mouldable mass of a hypo-allergenic, substantially non-memory
putty-like adhesive in the form of a disc, wherein the disc has an outer diameter
smaller than the diameter of the hole of the wafer or pad of the ostomy body side
member, wherein the disc has a flange member stretching from its outer rim, said flange
having outer dimensions greater than the diameter of the hole of the body side member
for coupling to the body side member and said flange member being supplied with a
folding zone, said method comprising placing the separate sealing member in such a
manner that the hole therein is aligned with the stoma and the sealing member is brought
into contact with the skin whereafter the body side member is shifted in such a manner
that the hole therein is surrounding the stoma and the sealing member and the body
side member is brought into contact with the skin, whereafter the sealing member is
moulded so as to contact the stoma.